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SGFD: taking ‘easy’ precautions can prevent future fires

Mobile home parks and private subdivisions run a slightly higher risk of having fires spread to multiple structures, but St. George Fire officials say homeowners can take a few simple precautions to help reduce that risk.

ST. GEORGE – St. George Fire Department officials are still unclear what caused a multiple mobile home fire July 19 that left several families displaced, but they say there are several “easy” steps residents can take to help prevent future occurrences.

July’s fire that left two mobile homes as a “total loss” and two others as “heavily damaged” is the third mobile home fire this year to take place in the Grandview Mobile Home Park, located at 425 E. 900 South.

St. George firefighters responded to an “accidental fire” on January 18 that started in the home’s dining/kitchen area.

SGFD Fire Chief Robert Stoker told The Spectrum & Daily News the resident was able to escape the blaze safely, but his home was destroyed.

Two months later, firefighters responded to a morning mobile home fire in the park on March 11 that began in a kitchen. While two occupants and two dogs were able to get out of the home safely, the home was deemed a total loss.

Because of the proximity to other structures — other mobile homes, awnings, sheds and plants — firefighters were forced to take defensive maneuvers in all three fires to prevent the fire from spreading.

The July fire was the only one that spread to other homes.

SGFD Deputy Chief Kevin Taylor said the increased risk that fires will spread to additional units is not unique to the Grandview Mobile Home Park.

In fact, mobile home parks and private subdivisions pose particular problems that other homes may not.